Local wins floral competitionThrough the eyes of Lance Shingleur, hydrangeas, roses and tulips are more than just flowers — they are art. The 24-year-old Pottsville native has made himself known in the world of floral design. Shingleur was recently named Arkansas Designer of the Year at the annual Arkansas State Florists Assocation conference in Hot Springs. Though he's only had four years of experience at Cathy's Flowers and Gifts, Shingleur said he has an eye for design...

Bus danger zones identified; six tickets issued in one dayPottsville Transportation Supervisor Ray Cynova identified four danger zones for school buses in Pope County: State Highway 7 between Russellville and Dover, West Main Street in Russellville, the new Pottsville bypass and U.S. Highway 64 in Pottsville. "There are several problem areas around the county," Cynova said. "These are probably the worst." He said State Highway 7 from Russellville to Dover is likely the most dangerous. "It's a five-la...

Dover approves fitness trail grantDOVER — The Dover City Council and Board of Education each gave their support for a proposed community fitness trail to be constructed at Dover Primary School if a federal grant is approved. Lt. Barry Walker gave presentations to the council and the board during their respective August meetings. "What this encompasses is a fitness trail," Walker told the council. "I met with [Superintendent] Jerry Owens and we thought the primary school might ...

Biomedical classes help students thriveTendons, ligaments and muscles are a hands-on teaching tool for science teacher Jared Fuller. Through Project Lead the Way, Fuller offers Russellville High School students an in-depth look at the human body. Human Body Systems is one of four classes the program — the first implemented in the state — offers to ninth grade and high school students. "The program is amazing," Fuller said. "The way they are challenged is different than a normal ana...

Pottsville pays for resource officerPOTTSVILLE — Tim Overturf, who recently retired from the Pottsville Police Department, will be the school resource officer (SRO) for the Pottsville School District. The school district is currently paying Overturf directly as a contract employee. Overturf, who retired in late July, isn't allowed to be hired part-time by the department for 90 days. In October, the city will pay Overturf $11 per hour up to 29 hours, provide him with a car and pa...

Lions fight to cure diabetesThe goal of raising money to fight type one diabetes (T1D) has come to the forefront of one local organization. Sue Tull, executive director of the Arkansas Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), spoke with the Russellville Lions Club on Tuesday about funding the global nonprofit's search for a cure. "We raise research dollars to find a cure," Tull said, adding the organization has contributed $1.8 billion since 1970. Tull said there ar...

Officers determine if ticket, arrest needed in accidentsWhen an accident involving a pedestrian or cyclist occurs, responding officers determine appropriate legal action. "If police on the scene determine there is probable cause to issue a citation or make an arrest, they will do one or the other as appropriate," Jeff Chandler, Pope County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, said. "If more evidence needs to be collected, they will start an investigation." Chandler said "numerous factors" go into determini...

Saturday concert wraps up summer music seriesThe Music Downtown at Sundown summer concert series will wrap up its second year with the final concert of the season beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday at Depot Park in Russellville Downtown. Entertainment for the evening will include the Old Dawgs, Jamie Lou & The Hullabaloo, and some guy named robb, who will be joined by the Irresponsibles. Who are the Old Dawgs? Take a few friends, add a common passion for music, mix in a variety of instruments,...

Tri-County improvements stay under budgetManager John Choate told the Tri-County Regional Water Distribution District board during its regular meeting Thursday improvements to the building are around $23,000 under budget. Earlier this year, the board appropriated $55,000 for improvements to the building. Choate said the bid for the concrete work came in at $20,000. He presented the board Thursday with a bid of around $12,000 for stucco and faux stone panels, which would bring the tot...

AHTD warns of holiday lane closuresThe Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) announced there will be lane closures in the area over the Labor Day weekend. Interstate 40 in Russellville will have one lane closed for four miles in both directions over the holiday, AHTD spokesman Jeff Whatley said in a news release. One lane in each direction from mile marker 77 to mile marker 81 will be closed for 24 hours on Labor Day, weather permitting. Whatley said AHTD ...

Commission grants permitsThe Russellville Planning Commission unanimously approved a large-scale development request, a special-use permit and two non-standard commercial building requests during its regular meeting Monday night at Russellville City Hall. Commissioners approved a request submitted by Neil Corder on behalf of Wayne Smith Trucking for large-scale development of truck and trailer parking and a fuel station for company-owned equipment. Commissioners appro...

Pottsville funds street projectsPOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville City Council approved transferring $14,304 from county revenue to the street fund during its regular meeting Monday at Pottsville City Hall. Mayor Jerry Williams told alderman he initially wanted to transfer $23,000, but that wasn't possible. "We don't have that much in there," he said. Instead, the city will transfer what is available to help fund two upcoming street projects. "I have two roads that I'm getting pav...

Intermodal fights to bring port to RussellvilleThe River Valley Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority discussed a lawsuit against it during its regular meeting Tuesday. Chairman Roy Reaves updated the board members about the lawsuit concerning the city of Dardanelle and the Yell County Wildlife Federation v. the Federal Highway Administration, the Arkansas Highway Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Intermodal group. "[Thursday] we have a hearing request by the [Army] Co...

Officers crack down on drunk drivingLocal law enforcement agencies and the Arkansas State Police (ASP) are participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national campaign. Beginning earlier this month and continuing through Monday, law enforcement officers will "be aggressively targeting their patrols in search of drunk drivers" during the Labor Day holiday, the ASP said in a news release. "For many Arkansans the Labor Day holiday is an extended weekend that includes backy...

Council approves aquatic center siteAfter months of discussion and debate, the Russellville City Council unanimously approved a site on North Phoenix Avenue for the indoor aquatic center during a called meeting Tuesday. The nearly 20 people in attendance stood and cheered after the council voted. The Pool Committee, during a special meeting Saturday, narrowed the possibilities to the North Phoenix site, where the city already owns land, and property near the L.V. Williamson Boys...

Commission finalizes election plansThe Pope County Election Commission approved Wednesday ordering 17,485 paper ballots in addition to absentee ballots for the Nov. 4 general election. "As usual, there will be the option of touch-screen voting," Election Coordinator Sherry Polsgrove said after the meeting. The commission approved conducting poll-worker training, to include practicing on the tablets, Sept. 22-23. Polsgrove confirmed the logic and accuracy (L&A) testing was compl...

Russellville employees focus on safety, wellness Tracey Cline-Pew, the city of Russellville’s human resources and safety coordinator, told the City Council during its regular meeting Thursday that she is focused on providing city officials and employees with a safer and more physically fit environment. During her departmental report to aldermen, Cline-Pew explained the city received a “very good report” following a recent safety review. She said she plans to continue to develop a culture of ...

Commission gives $50,000 for Hickey renovationsThe Russellville Advertising and Promotions (A&P) Commission voted to provide $50,000 for the Hickey Park baseball and softball field renovation project during its regular meeting Thursday. Russellville School District (RSD) Athletic Director Johnny Johnson requested a grant from A&P during its last meeting to help fund four new dugouts at the high school baseball and softball fields at Hickey Park. "What we want to do for the home dugouts is ...